Austin O' Connor in the Eventers v's Jockeys High Jump Challenge at The Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials near Woodstock, England between 11- 14 September 2014
All eyes might be on the three-star eventing action at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials this weekend (13-17 September 2017), but it would be a mistake to bypass the High Jump Challenge (if only to get a glimpse of eventers minus some of their clothing...)
What is the Blenheim Horse Trials High Jump Challenge?
The rules are simple for the High Jump Challenge — whoever jumps the highest, wins. It’s a knockout style jumping class, where there is just one fence that gets higher and higher. Should the horse knock down the fence they are out of the next round unless the rider chooses to buy a ‘life’ (they are allowed one extra life) and have another attempt or remove their saddle/piece of clothing and jump the fence again.
Where does it take place?
The Attraction Arena at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.
When does it take place?
2pm on Sunday 17 September 2017.
Who is the reigning champion?
The eight daring riders who stepped up to the Blenheim Horse Trials High Jump Challenge last year had some equally challenging weather to contend with. Four riders remained (Vicky Laing, Jack Pinkney, Scarlett Ward and Gemma Tattersall) when it was decided that the ground was no longer safe for the horses, and they called it a tie — with the £500 prize money being donated to Willberry Wonder Pony (the charity which funds bone cancer research, in memory of eventer Hannah Francis who died aged 18).
Continued below…
Liked this? You may also enjoy reading these articles…
Standby by for thrills, spills and a hefty dose of nakedness as riders try to prove their mettle in front of an eagle-eyed crowd. It’s not just eventers who take on the challenge — National Hunt jockey Sam Twiston-Davies has previously been on the line-up, along with young showjumper Scarlett Ward.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
When the fence is reaching the dizzy heights of 1m90 and tack is minimal, we recommend you have your cameras at the ready…
To find out more about Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials visit blenheimhorse.co.uk
Don’t miss our full report from the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials in the 21 September 2017 issue of Horse & Hound magazine
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
A graduate from Durham University, Madeleine joined H&H in 2011 and became Features Editor — producing content across the magazine and website, including the popular inside back cover article ‘The horse that made me’ and the weekly ‘The best of my fun…’ interview. She has written on topics as diverse as hay making and headcams, to hot totty in the horse world and circus horses. Madeleine now works as a freelance feature writer for Country Life, The Telegraph, Horse & Hound, cntraveller.com, The Spectator and The Field, as well as writing obituaries for The Times.
